Pilot Chris McCord, of Albuquerque, fires his balloon’s burner while waiting to get the green flag to fly Sunday at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/Journal)

 

After a pilot briefing that detailed showers in the area and winds at 15-20 mph, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta officials made the decision to keep balloons on the ground Monday.

“There will be no Balloon Fiesta flights today and (the) competition is canceled,” a post on the event’s Facebook page states. “A static display is allowed on the launch field.”

Many balloons began inflating on the field for static displays just before 8 a.m.

Monday’s launch cancellation was the fiesta’s first this year. The fiesta runs through Sunday.